Food Forum 2024
New Orleans Restaurants through History
Presented by Magic Seasoning Blends
Saturday, November 9, 2024
Williams Research Center
410 Chartres Street
Order up! Celebrating the rich history of dining out in New Orleans
The New Orleans restaurant scene may be world famous, but to locals, it’s deeply personal. We keep maître d’s on speed dial, our favorite servers know our birthdays, and the corner market leaves the pickles off our po’boys. Join culinary historian Jessica B. Harris to learn about the history of New Orleans restaurants at the HNOC’s 2024 Food Forum. Food historians, restaurateurs, chefs, and culture bearers will explore the rich history of our restaurants and how they influence today’s emerging food scene. Beloved chefs from local featured restaurants will serve up a tasting menu with cocktail pairings at a Food Fête immediately following the forum.
Following the day’s sessions, the Food Fête will offer guests signature tastes from local historic neighborhood restaurants curated by local food writer Megan Braden-Perry and an open bar including wine, champagne, and signature cocktails created by Eve Marie Haydel, Dooky Chase’s mixologist. The Food Fête is included in the ticket price for session attendees. Food Fête tickets may be purchased separately for $20.
Taste history at a private lunch at Antoine’s Restaurant. Antoine’s is the oldest restaurant in the United States that has been continuously run by the same family. Rick Blount, great-great grandson of Antoine Alciatore, will oversee the creation of a historic menu while marketing director Lisa Blount will share family stories and discuss the recent donation of the restaurant’s papers to the HNOC. This optional activity has an additional charge of $75 and seats are limited.
Explore the schedule, below!
About Food Forum
Since 2010 the Historic New Orleans Collection and Dr. Jessica B. Harris, author and food historian, have hosted the Food Forum, a program focused on the culinary practices of New Orleans and the Gulf region. Featuring noted historians, writers, chefs, and culture bearers, the Food Forum presents a wealth of information about what we eat and how our foods and customs have evolved. Past Food Forums have explored topics such as the histories of pork, rum, coffee, pralines, and New Orleans’s world-famous festival foods.
Schedule
10 a.m.
Welcome
Daniel Hammer, president and CEO, the Historic New Orleans Collection
Dr. Jessica B. Harris, food historian and author of High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America
10:15 a.m.
New Orleans Restaurants With a Past
Peggy Scott Laborde, Emmy Award-winning producer, host/producer of “Steppin’ Out, New Orleans” and author of Lost Restaurants of New Orleans
11 a.m.
Break
11:15 a.m.
Keeping the Plate Spinning: Surviving Calamities
Poppy Tooker, food personality, author, and radio host of “Louisiana Eats,” in conversation with New Orleans restaurateurs Lisa Blount, Ralph Brennan, and Edgar “Dook” Chase IV
12 p.m.
Lunch: on your own or optional activity (see below)
Optional Activity: Prix fixe menu at Antoine’s with historic recipes, hosted by Poppy Tooker. Tickets may be purchased separately for $75.
Purchase optional lunch tickets >
1:30 p.m.
No Jacket Required: Neighborhood Joints
Justin Nystrom, historian and author of the James Beard Foundation Award–nominated book Creole Italian: Sicilian Immigrants and the Making of New Orleans Food Culture, with Megan Braden-Perry, food writer and author of Crescent City Snow: The Ultimate Guide to New Orleans Snowball Stands
2:15 p.m.
The Heart of New Orleans: Black-Owned Restaurants
Lolis Eric Elie, screenwriter and author of Treme: Stories and Recipies from the Heart of New Orleans
2:45 p.m.
Break
3 p.m.
Un Lenguaje Comun (A Common Language): Latin American Restaurants in New Orleans
Zella Palmer, chair and director of the Dillard University Ray Charles Program in African American Material Culture and author of New Orleans con Sabor Latino: The History and Passion of Latino Cooking, in conversation with restaurateurs Melissa Araujo, Adolfo Garcia, and food writer Claudia Portillo
3:45 p.m.
Cocktails: The Official Sandwich of New Orleans
Elizabeth Pearce, cocktail historian and author of Drink Dat New Orleans, and Ian Julian, bar program manager for Fritai and the Dew Drop Inn
4:35 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Dr. Harris (15 mins)
4:50–6:30 p.m.
Reception: Food Fête
Following the day’s sessions, the Food Fête will offer guests signature tastes from local historic neighborhood restaurants curated by local food writer Megan Braden-Perry and an open bar including wine, champagne, and signature cocktails created by Eve Marie Haydel, Dooky Chase’s mixologist. The Food Fête is included in the ticket price for session attendees. Food Fête tickets may be purchased separately for $20.
Purchase Food Fête tickets >
The 2024 Food Forum is presented by Magic Seasoning Blends in partnership with the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund.
